Muscat: Times of Oman has bagged the top two awards at the Oman Football Association's Annual Award Ceremony, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday night.

The Times of Oman won the 'Best English Newspaper' award, while Nishad Padiyarath, Senior Reporter of the newspaper, was honoured with the 'Best Sports Journalist' award during the function, which was held to felicitate some of the star performers of the season.

Speaking after the gala event, Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, Chairman of the Oman Football Association (OFA), praised the efforts made by the Times of Oman in promoting the game in the country.

"The media plays an important role in promoting the game of football in the country, and the Times of Oman in particular has done a remarkable job in the last few years," Sayyid Khalid said.

It is worth nothing that Nishad has won the prestigious award for the second time.

Best choice"It is important to send the right message to our fans and observers alike, and what we have noticed is that Nishad has done exactly that. He is doing a brilliant job in promoting the game in the country.

Therefore, he is the best choice and fully deserves to win this award," Sayyid Khalid added.

The award ceremony, which was held in the presence of Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardoof Al Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs, saw Al Nahda sweeping up the majority of the awards. Juma Saeed won the best player award, while Hamed Al Azzani won the best coach award. Suwaiq's Faiz Al Rushaidi won the best goalkeeper award. "It's an honour to win the award. We had a great season and am looking forward for more," said Azzani after receiving the award.